Addressing the GM safety question
Many of the genetic modifications carried out in GM plants are often intended to increase their resistance to pests. Furthermore, genetic changes can also bestow specific qualitative attributes to the final product, such as flavour and colour enhancement. Three of the main 'alterations' of GM plants is their ability to express the foreign proteins, snowdrop lectin (GNA), kidney bean agglutinin E-form (PHA-E) and Bacillus thuringiensis toxin (Bt). All three molecules act as natural pesticides, theoretically lowering the need for chemical pesticide agents. However, the effects of these proteins on human health has yet to be fully tested. One of the key objectives of SAFOTEST was to express transgenic rice plants expressing these proteins and thus provide all project partners with suitable research plant material. Only plants carrying the required transgene were allowed to grow to maturity under high-light conditions. Results showed that PHA-E and GNA expression levels were highest in seeds and lowest in the roots and the leaves respectively. Bt toxin expression was lowest in seeds and highest in leaf sheath. These findings signified the first step towards long-term studies on the effects of the presence of these proteins in transgenic foods. The technology behind the SAFOTEST project could be extremely important to private sector companies involved in the development and promotion of GM foods. The developed methodologies provide the necessary framework through which governments and food agencies can assess the safety and suitability of GM foods on a wider scale.